Video: New Year's Eve Ideas on NBC's IVillage

New Year's Eve is just around the corner.......Have a peek at some quick ideas!

This is a youtube video from a New Year's Eve Party segment I did on NBC's IVillage Live. If you are looking for quick nibbler recipes then check out the recipe archive.

Craft Zine Features Hot Glue Gun Heleprs for their Holiday Gift Guide

Thanks Craftzine!

Blush Blush.... We are so honored to be included in Craftzine's Holiday Gift Guide!  Hot Glue Gun Helpers really are a crafters best friend.  Get your Hot Glue Gun Helpers from our official shop!

Please visit the link to see all the awesome kits that were featured: Link Here.

CNN Living and Real Simple: Update your decor with paint projects

Here is a piece I contributed to for Real Simple and CNN Living. 

Update your decor with easy paint projects.

Full Story at CNN

Press: Apartment Therapy ~ Hex Nut Coasters

Apartment Therapy goes hardware happy!

Check out this piece where our Hex Nut Coasters from episode 509 of Creative Juice are featured.

Materials:
Thin cork plant drip coasters
E6000 glue
wax paper
Hex Nuts (approximately 25-40 per coaster depending on the size of the hexnut)
craft knife
self-healing mat or other safe cutting surface

Steps:
1. Squirt a small puddle of E6000 glue to the wax paper. Dredge the flat side of one hexnut through the glue.

2. Place the hexnut in the center of the coaster. Continue to fill the rest of the coaster, piecing together hexnuts edge to edge. Leave gaps, if desired, to achieve a honeycomb look.

3. Allow the glue to dry for 24 hours.

4. With a craft knife and working on a self-healing mat or other safe cutting surface, cut out exposed areas of cork at the edges of the coaster and in the gaps.

My Trip to Denver for the taping of PBS's Sew It All TV!

This past spring, I sneaked away from my studio and office for a little sewing-play-time in Denver, CO.  I was invited to be a guest on the new PBS show Sew It All with host and magazine editor, Ellen March.  It was a blast to shoot and everyone was so nice.  I designed zipper flowers to teach.  They can be used for pins, headbands, jewelry, etc.  I think my episode is slated to air towards the end of the year. 

 I first met Ellen back in 2006 when she interviewed me for Sew News magazine.  It was one of my first full interviews before Creative Juice started.  You can see the interview here.

Ellen and me on the set of Sew It All.

Behind the scenes!

Step-outs of zipper pins.

Types of zippers.....LOVE THEM!

Zipper Flower #1

 

Zipper Flower #2

Zipper Flower #3

My Books on display.

Creative Juice, 101 Snappy Fashions and Bow Wow WOW! 

Final display shots.

That's a Wrap!

press: Life Magazine

 click to enlarge.

Microscope slide pendants with pressed flowers.  Quick easy and fun!  Wear them around your neck or hang in a window.

My love of Jo-Ann Fabrics, it goes back a long time.....

Did ya'll know that I worked at Jo-Ann Fabrics during high school and college? I started when I was 16 years old and I still have my name tag pinned to my bulletin board 24 years later!  They almost didn't hire me!  They were afraid I wouldn't be able to read patterns, sell sewing machines or help customers with fabric selections.  I proved them wrong when I demanded a test and ended up knowing more about sewing than the manager.  (LOL)

Yep, that's me in the middle with
blond hair and a metallic-blue bubble dress!

 They didn't know that I had started sewing with patterns at 8 and by the time I was sixteen, I was designing clothing and making party dresses for anyone who would wear them. At the time, I was the youngest employee that store had ever had.  I worked at the same store until I graduated from College.  I even got a ruby pin to celebrate my 5 years!

The way I got hired is an inspiring story about cold calling and believing in yourself.  Over the past few years, I have given many seminars and speeches on being a creative entrepreneur and the tale of 16-year old me getting hired at JAS, almost always starts the dialogue.  I'll save that for another post.

 

A few months ago, I was contacted by the publicity department to help with their Spring National Craft Month Campaign!  I was trilled beyond belief and so honored to be included with my other creative friends.  Each three-sided display is located in every Jo-Ann Fabrics store across America and is loaded with free craft projects sheets that you can take with you.  The projects are also available online.  Mine are here.  You can see the entire press kit here.

For this design, I used hem tape to create romantic ruffles.  I just LOVE the colors of Wrights hem tape.  They’re flirty, feminine and fabulous! Ruffles are one of my hot trend predictions for spring. Give pillows, jackets, scarves, purses and more an instant touch of girly glamour with her ruffled pin-on flowers.  Visit this link to download the instructions.

For the lacy pins, I used RIT Dye to alter the colors of plain cream lace trim.  So EASY!  Slightly vintage, yet totally modern, these hand-sewn accessories bloom with whimsy and elegance. Visit this link to download the instructions.

For the kids, I designed this yummy treat!  I used the Wilton melting pot...it is perfect for when you want to have the little ones dip into melted chocolate.  The base stays cool and kids get to dive into making this treat.  Marshmallows placed onto cookie sticks then coated in candy melts and crushed graham crackers are the treats that everyone will be raving about at parties. They're easy to eat and share – with no gooey mess. For presentation with eye-appeal, adhere colorful paper leaves to each stick.  Visit this link to download the instructions!

Ya know crafting is big business when CNBC and Istock Analysis have picked up on the story!

Learn more about the other crafty folks involved!

 

Susan Winget, Jenny Hart and Me.

Margot Potter, Drew Emborsky, Jennifer Perkins

Vickie Howell, Erica Domesek, Kathy Cano-Murillo

Tune In: Fave Crafts Radio! 1/5/10

Tune into Fave Craft Radio!  They have a load of fun guests.  Amy Barickman will be chatting about image transferring for tees!  (You guys know I love t-shirt makeovers...lol) Katie Hacker is of course talking all things beads.  Amy Anderson will be one hand to chat about a snow banner and Mark Montano will sharing table top ideas and sharing the scoop on his new book. 

I'll be sharing ideas for making over candy boxes with Scrapbook Paper, Mod Podge and Hot Glue.

Turn into the show by clicking this link!

Here is the project I'll be showcasing. 

See the step-by-step here.

More ideas for Valentine's Day can be found here.

Projects in the press: Altered Couture!

Winter - 2010 - On News Stands NOW!

Oh La La ~ Whip up some headbands with a little help and inspiration from from Altered Couture, Amber Demien, Paula Corley, Lisa Loria and Me!

They are easy to make and can be customized for any occasion! So grab some dollar store headbands and re-vamp them with paper, fabric and embellishments.

P.S. They make great gifts!

click to enlarge

click to enlarge

close up

The Nate Berkus Show

I could not be more thrilled to be appearing on the new Nate Berkus Show. Premiering Sept 13, 2010. We will be chatting all things Hot Glue!

Check back for my air date and tune it to see what we are heating up and gluing down.

Back To School Tie-Dyed Tote at Michaels!

Love this tote? Wanna make it? It is as easy as 1,2,3! Head over to your local Michaels Craft Store and pic up the compete instructions. Look for the instructions in the fashion and Rit Dye aisle.

A few behind the scene pics of the making....

Seattle Friends - come see me Friday August 13th!

Friday - August 13
12:15 - 1:00

Century Ballroom

915 East Pine Street
Seattle, WA 98122-3849
www.centuryballroom.com

Oh how I love Seattle and I couldn't be more thrilled and proud to be speaking with lots of creative and entrepreneurial minded friends and colleagues at The Creative Conference of Entrepreneurs.

I'll be sharing my story of climbing up the glitter and glue ladder, giving tips on getting published, cold calling, taking risks and how to keep believing in your ideas. Plus we will have a boxed lunch and an open forum Q&A. Where you can ask me anything and I'll answer!

I also have 50 Hot Glue Gun Helpers to pass out to the first to show up and Plaid has sent 100 bottles of Mod Podge!

I love their mission....Have a peek!

"Our Mission"

The mission of the Conference of Creative Entrepreneurs (CCE) is to create a small business conference addressing the needs and disparities of the designer, artist and handcrafter (Creative Professionals). We have core values that we will cultivate at our events and through our website:

Educate
To educate the artist, crafter and designer on their way to becoming a creative professional.

Support
To provide support for business owners, service providers and creative industries.

Network
To create a network of business owners, service providers and creative industries who have similar professional goals.

Incubate
To be a sounding board and a “Safe Place” for people to come and share their ideas. To find collaborators in the west coast creative community for their projects.

Advocate
To learn more about the needs of this population and to advocate for the needs of the creative professional both locally and nationally.


If you are in Seattle...join in the fun, learn new stuff and meet new friends!

View the Schedule Here!

List of Speakers

Who - What - When - Why!